Come one, come all

Christmas dinner open to everyone

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Rebecca Smith, left, and Vicki O'Brien are among the small committee organising thie year's community Christmas dinner in Timaru at Caroline Bay Hall.

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There is plenty of room at the inn this Christmas.

People are encouraged to flock to Timaru's community Christmas dinner on December 25, which has taken two months of careful planning.

Co-organiser Vicki O'Brien said people from far and wide will be welcome on the day, along with those wanting to volunteer.

"We've had a good response, but we can always find jobs for more (volunteers). It's about people not sitting at home on their own," she said, of both diners and volunteers.

The popular event ran into uncertainty in October, but was put back on the agenda thanks to a group of parishioners from the Wilson St Baptist Church. They will host the event at the Caroline Bay Hall from 12pm to 2pm, following a Christmas carol service at the bay, which starts at 11am.

Co-organiser Rebecca Smith said plans were going well, but there was still plenty to do. "Things are starting to come together, but there are a lot of loose ends to tie up."